Ann Arbor HCMP Questions
 

Anybody have any insights into the Huron Clinton MetroPark (HCMP) Authority?

Many of the Metroparks have wonderful bike trails... that are only accessible via a parking lot. At Hudson Mill, for example, the bicycle entrance on Huron River Drive has been fenced off. HCMP gives free admission to bicyclists; but those savings hardly offset the risks of cycling into the main gate off North Territorial. The free admission notwithstanding, none from Wolcott Mill to Lake Erie are easily accessible by bicycle.

On a related rant, the North entrance of the Dexter BtoB trail is controlled by HCMP, legally dubious since HCMP wasn't a contributor. I carry my bike through the pedestrian entrance on Huron River Drive. But practically, HCMP makes this BtoB trail inaccessible to cyclists. The Ann Arbor perspective is that the BtoB project is supposed to *expand* local bicycle routes. But HCMP seems to have their own agenda.

I get the feeling HCMP only acknowledges bicyclists driving in with a bike rack. Doesn't seem like a good partner for the BtoB project in spite of all the river frontage. What gives?

I don't know that HCMPA is unfriendly to bikes, but their attitude is certainly ambivalent. I live near Kensington and I make my entry through Silver Lake State Park. That's easier than dealing with HCMPA.

Can you get into the park from the South, from the downtown area of Dexter?. North Territorial is a death trap. No shoulders, and cars going 55mph.

I just pay the yearly fee for the sticker, though it seems to go up in price quite regularly. I figured it helps pay for the upkeep of the parks.

Like Madkaw, I also live near Kensington. More so, the very end of Island Lake R.A., where I just leave my neighborhood and ride into the back of Island Lake and then on to Kensington M.P.

You live within feet of me! :D

Where abouts?

I can't post a private message yet, and don't want to get too specific on the open net. If you want to meet up in the RW, we could just meet at that "entrance" along the south side of the park.

No worries. If you ever see someone riding a very low yellow recumbent around Brighton, stop and say hi. That would be me.

I simply buy an annual pass--I prefer to support something I use regularly. I would rather park within the Metroparks than take chances elsewhere. I live not far from Lake St. Clair Metropark and in summer, I am out there at least 2-3 times per week.

Since early July, I have been cycling quite a few of the parks. A week and a half ago (on the 16th), I did my own "Four Metropark Challenge," parking at Lower Huron, taking the connecting trail (maintained by the Metroparks authority, I believe) to Willow, crossing the road to Oakwoods, then catching the Downriver Connected Greenways trail at Huroc Park in Flat Rock, and continuing out to Lake Erie Metropark. All of them have nice trails. You can get close to half a century doing the four Metroparks. (My trip was 44.5 miles.)

Lately, yearly rates have been going up $5 every two years or so. I have two $25 and two $30 stickers, and 2016's rate is $35. I figure it's cheaper than going to a gym. :D And like I said, I use the parks so often that it's worth it to support them.

Kensington's trails are likewise nice, and connect to so many other destinations (Milford, for one, as well as Wixom and South Lyon by way of the Huron Valley Trail that you pick up just outside of Island Lake State Park), that it makes for flexible riding. Haven't tried Hudson Mills yet. Stony Creek Metropark connects via side streets to the Macomb Orchard Trail out of the Shelby Rd. entrance, from which you can also connect to the Clinton River Trail and (through Rochester) the Paint Creek Trail.

We are lucky to have these trail systems. I've looked at other areas that have nothing.

Not sure I understand the problem. I know these routes at Kensington and Silver Lake - what exactly is the hassle of just biking through the auto gate at Kensington? I've never been stopped while on a bike at any Metropark when on a bike with a helmet. The lanes are quite wide and there are shoulders. Michigan drivers are not caught up yet, but the state position on bikes is that cyclists should use the road, as far to the right as practicable but legal to take the lane when necessary.

My problem with them is the 10 mph speed limit. If you go more than 10 mph you are supposed to use the road. But use of the road is prohibited.
The Catch 17 is sort of a definition of ambivalence, is it not?

Sorry I'm so late to reply. Where does it say use of the road by bicycles is prohibited? I don't recall seeing anything like that.

I agree, it would be a problem!

In the HCMP rool book.

It's Rule 19. So it is Catch 19, not Catch 17. :D

To quote the rool:

"19.HIKE-BIKE TRAILSWhenever a usable and designated path has been pro- vided near a roadway, cyclists, hikers, joggers, runners andin-line skaters shall use that path and shall not use theroadway. However, the speed limit on the hike-bike trailsis 10 miles per hour, so cyclists riding at faster speeds shalluse the roadway. Bicyclists shall yield the right of way topedestrians and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian. Users of hike-bike trails shallobey all other posted regulations. Helmets are required onKensington trails and the use of protective equipment isencouraged on all Metropark trails."

While that appears to say that you can use the road if you are going more than 10 miles per hour, I have had a "difference of opinion" with their enforcement personnel on that point. It seems the rool means whatever they want the rool to mean on any given day.

Ok. I've been in Kensington, Stony Creek, and a bunch of the other Metroparks, on the road and the path at speeds greater than 10, with no problems or interference. The "rools" certainly (as stated) don't prohibit bikes on roads, you just have to go fast enough.

As far as the LEO or whatever, just chill and get away unscathed. The guy has a gun, the guy has a bat, the guy has cuffs, the guy knows how to use them, and the guy can pull you in for being too loud and certainly for too mouthy, so escape and survive to ride another day.

I think I only know about Catch 22. Wanna school me again?

It sounds like they encourage you to use the trails if you're doing < 10 mph, and the roads if you're doing more. I've ridden Stoney Creek, Kensington, and Island Lake, and never had a problem with enforcement. I'm generally in the 'road' group.

Well, if you know Catch 22, you know that I don't have to show them to you.